Hungarian American Coalition News, 1994 (3. évfolyam, 1. szám)
1994 / 1. szám
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS Hungarian Alumni Association The Magyar Öregdiák Szövetség - Bessenyei Kör, the Hungarian Alumni Association continues to provide a forum for vital Hungarian issues at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, as it has been doing since I960. In September, 1993, two leading members of Hungarian minority communities: Lajos Kantor of Kolozsvár and László Dobos of Pozsony analyzed the continually endangered human rights situations of Hungarians in Rumania and Slovakia. On October 23, the Association organized an English-language symposium commemorating the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Gabor Fodor, the President of the Hungarian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee discussed concerns of the legislature on November 13- President of the Hungarian World Federation, Sándor Csoori’s lecture and discussion on Hungarian intellectual life celebrated an anniversary on December 8. It was twenty years ago that he met his very first audience in the USA during a program in 1973, which was also organized by the Hungarian Alumni. The Association’s 1994 Spring semester plans include a variety of programs. István Széchényi and the Hungarian “age of reform” will be the topic of a lecture by Gabor Vermes, a Rutgers historian. Selections of Gizella Hervay’s and Domokos Szilagyi’s poetry will be presented by Margit Palfy of Budapest during an evening of literature. Zoltán Tófalvi, a writer and researcher of Marosvasarhely will discuss vital concerns of Hungarians in Rumania. - Dr. Károly Nagy DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY! Another Fabulous Fund-raiser by the Cleveland-Hungarian Development Panel On February 12,1994, an elegant and successful fund-raiser, “Romance in Budapest” was held in Cleveland, Ohio at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Out of town guests included Mr. and Mrs. Ferenc Szentklaray, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Hungarian Embassy, and Mr. and Mrs. László Balazs, the Hungarian Consul in New York. More than 200 guests enjoyed an excellent dinner, bid on dozens of fascinating auction items - including the very popular Wild Hungarian Game Dinner- and danced the waltz and csárdás to the music of Steven Hegedeos. u \/ Chairwoman Kori Smith, who has organized the Panel’s event for the second time, achieved a very impressive net profit of almost $40,000. This sum will provide the resources for the Panel’s upcoming grants for the various educational, medical and social programs the group sponsors for the benefit of Hungarians. News from MBK Hungarian Communion of Friends MBK held its traditional March Board Meeting in Cleveland on March 4-6,1994. Newly elected Chairman, László Bojtos led a Board discussion on the ways this organization, founded 20 years ago, can meet the changing needs of its members. The traditional ITT OTT will be held on August 20-27, 1994 at Lake Hope Ohio. The theme of this year’s conference will be: “Retaining Hungarian identity in a multi cultural society.” Distinguished speakers who have already accepted invitations include writer Sándor Gal, from Kassa, Slovakia, Sándor Sara, film producer and President of Duna TV, and an excellent five member band from Gyimes in Felvidék, Slovakia. Bethlen Home Beautification Project There is a campaign to replace the aged pine trees on the two sides of the beautiful entrance to the Bethlen Home. The 60-70 year old trees are beginning to decay, and one by one they must be removed. The first four newly planted trees were dedicated at the Calvin Synod’s 1993 Fall Meeting. Each new tree costs $50, without calculating the labor of planting and removing the old tree roots. A special fund has been set up for this project. You can participate by making a contribution to the Evergreen Foundation, Attn: Mrs. Edith Kovács, P.O. Box 657, Ligonier, PA 15658. Fund-raising by Hungarian Americans for Human Rights in Délvidék The members of HAHRD pay close attention to the fate of the 400,000 ethnic Hungarians in Délvidék (Northern Serbia). This national organization, which has recently established local chapters in Chicago and Cleveland, organized a successful Délvidék Benefit Dinner Dance on March 5,1994 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 250 guests raised over $3,000 to be used to help with the relief effort of the Hungarians living in Délvidék. The American Hungarian Folklore Centrum Between June 25 - July 2,1994, the Ninth Annual Folkdance and Folk Music Symposium will offer training in folkdance, folk music and folklore in general. The site: Enon Valley, Pennsylvania. Registration can be sent with a $25.00 deposit to: AHFC P.O. Box 262 Bogota, New Jersey 07630 6 • Hungarian American Coalition News • Spring 1994
